Three days after the duel at the training grounds, the Crimson Sky Sect received an unexpected scroll—bearing the golden seal of the Emperor himself.
A royal decree.
And it named Evelyne Ardent and Zayne Elcross as its sole recipients.
---
Summoned by the Emperor
Evelyne stood in the imperial study, surrounded by towering bookshelves and golden drapes.
Her father, Emperor Caelan, sat behind the ornate desk. His eyes, so rarely warm, studied her carefully.
"You will escort the Saintess' envoy to the Temple of Lumina. Protect her."
Zayne stood to Evelyne's right, calm and unreadable.
"But why him?" Evelyne asked, narrowing her eyes.
Zayne raised a brow. "I could say the same about you."
"You two are the strongest students in the sect," the Emperor said. "But more importantly—"
His voice lowered.
"You need to learn to work together. The empire demands unity."
That wasn't a suggestion.
It was a command.
---
Tension on the Road
Their departure was quiet. No grand escort. Just the two of them, riding side by side beneath a silver dawn.
For a while, neither spoke.
Evelyne watched the horizon.
Zayne watched her.
"You don't trust me," he said at last.
"No," she replied simply.
"…But you saved me."
"I didn't do it for you."
He smiled faintly. "I know."
---
The Ambush
That night, they camped in a forest clearing.
And that night… the assassins came.
Dark-robed figures. Silent. Deadly.
Evelyne leapt first—blade flashing in the moonlight, her instincts sharper than steel.
Zayne fought beside her, back-to-back.
"Seven!" she called out.
"Eight," he corrected, slicing one down.
By the end, they stood alone among the fallen.
Breathing hard. Clothes torn. Bloodied.
Zayne looked at her—truly looked.
"You're different," he whispered.
She turned away. "And you still don't understand me."
---
A Soft Moment
Later, as Evelyne cleaned her blade by the fire, Zayne sat beside her.
He offered her a cloth. Their hands touched briefly.
For the first time… she didn't pull away.
"You didn't flinch," he said.
"Maybe I'm tired of flinching."
---